Earlier, Karnataka High Court too dismissed the petitions questioning the decision of the state government.
Published Sep 19, 2025 | 3:00 PM ⚊ Updated Sep 19, 2025 | 3:00 PM
Supreme Court
Synopsis: The Karnataka government has earlier invited Mushtaq, who won the Booker Prize 2025, for the English translation of Heart Lamp, to inaugurate the famed Naada Habba Mysuru Dasara festival. Following which, Opposition in the state, BJP raised objection.
Supreme Court on Friday, 19 September, dismissed plea challenging Karnataka government’s invite to Booker Prize winner Banu Mushtaq for Mysuru Dasara festival inauguration.
According to Livelaw, Senior Advocate PB Suresh, for the petitioner, submitted that a non-Hindu person cannot be allowed to perform the pujas. Justice Vikram Nath then pronounced, “Dismissed.”
Livelaw further reported that, advocate Suresh argued, “It’s purely political…no reason why they should be brought inside temple for religious activity…,”he said. Justice Nath then repeated, “Dismissed.”
He further alleged that the invitee had made certain objectionable remarks in the past hurting religious sentiments and said that such a person cannot be invited. Justice Nath repeated that the matter has been dismissed.
Earlier, Karnataka High Court too dismissed the petitions questioning the decision of the state government.
The high court said that it was not persuaded to accept that inviting a person of a different faith to inaugurate the function violates legal or constitutional rights of the petitioners.
A division bench of Chief Justice Vibhu Bakhru and Justice CM Joshi heard three petitions regarding the issue, including one filed by BJP leader and former Mysuru MP Prathap Sinha.
The court remarked that “Vijaydashmi is a festival of victory of Good over evil and is celebrated across the length of the country” and dismissed the pleas.
The Karnataka government has earlier invited Mushtaq, who won the Booker Prize 2025, for the English translation of Heart Lamp, to inaugurate the famed Naada Habba Mysuru Dasara festival. Following which, Opposition in the state, BJP raised objection.
The Hindu Jagarana Vedike also had announced that it would hold a “Chamundeshwari Chalo” rally on Tuesday, 9 September, opposing Mushtaq’s inauguration of the Dasara celebrations.
Naaveddu Nilladiddare however urged the state government not to bow down to any conspiracies or pressures from such forces, and to firmly continue with the selection of Mushtaq.
(Edited by Sumavarsha, with inputs from Nolan Patrick Pinto)
